BA English Literature Syllabus and Subjects 2024
BA English Literature syllabus is divided into 6 semesters over 3 years and mainly covers an in-depth study of socio-political issues, theoretical frameworks, and contemporary research, poetry, drama, non-fiction, prose, history, etc. BA English Literature subjects cover a range of topics starting from Shakespeare to Elizabethan Age Literature, Contemporary and Western Literature, etc.
BA English Literature core subjects include British and American Prose, Foundation of English Fiction, Environmental Studies, Shakespeare Drama, Poetry, Literary Form, 20th-Century English Literature, etc. Students can also select elective subjects such as Literary Criticism, Mythology and Literature, Children's Literature, Film Studies, etc.
BA English Literature course also helps students to develop various skills in English Phonetics, Word Power and Creative Writing, Presentation, Value Education, Digital Skill Development for Employment, etc., as a part of skill-based courses in the curriculum.
Table of Contents
- BA English Literature Syllabus Semester Wise
- BA English Literature First Year Syllabus
- BA English Literature Second Year Syllabus
- BA English Literature Third Year Syllabus
- BA English Literature Subjects
Also Read: BA Subjects and Syllabus
BA English Literature Syllabus Semester Wise
BA English Literature subjects contain a wide range of topics such as cultural research, English literature, modern literature, rhetoric, etc. However, the syllabus pattern may differ in institutions based on the academic structure and different regulations. A detailed view of the generic BA English Literature syllabus is given below.
BA English Literature First Year Syllabus
Students get to study various subjects and different sections of English history in the BA first-year English syllabus. Given below are the English Literature BA 1st Year Syllabus:
|
BA English Literature 1st Semester |
BA English Literature 2nd Semester |
|
Foundation - Language I (Regional) |
Foundation - Language II (Regional) |
|
Foundation of English I |
Foundation of English II |
|
Grammar and Usage |
English Poetry: The Pre-Romantic to the Victorian |
|
British Prose |
Environmental Studies |
|
Social History of England |
Indian Writing in English - Fiction |
|
Functional English |
Value Education - Human Rights (Skill Based Course) |
BA English Literature Second Year Syllabus
A variety of dramas, novels, and poems are covered under the BA English Literature semester 2 syllabus. Given below are the BA 2nd Year English Literature Syllabus:
|
BA English Literature 3rd Semester |
BA English Literature 4th Semester |
|
Foundation - Language III (Regional) |
Foundation - Language IV (Regional) |
|
Foundation of English – III |
Foundation of English – IV |
|
American Literature |
Twentieth Century Literature |
|
Functional English II |
Phonetics and Transcription |
|
Grammar and Usage |
Study of English Language II |
|
British Poetry |
Indian Writing in English |
|
Word Power & Creative Writing (Skill Based Course) |
English for Competitive Exams (Skill Based Course) |
|
- |
Open Elective A |
BA English Literature Third Year Syllabus
Students can choose electives in the BA English literature Third-year syllabus. Given below are the BA 3rd Year English Literature Syllabus:
|
BA English Literature 5th Semester |
BA English Literature 6th Semester |
|
Modern English Drama |
Language and Linguistics |
|
American Prose |
Drama: Shakespeare |
|
New Literature in English |
English Language Teaching |
|
Women's Writing in English |
Translation Theory and Practice |
|
Journalism and Mass Communication |
Introduction to Literary Theories |
|
20th-Century British, American, and Indian English Poetry |
English for Employment |
|
Shakespeare |
Open Elective C |
|
Open Elective B |
- |
| Top BA English Literature Colleges in India | Scope of BA English Literature in India |
BA English Literature Subjects
BA English Literature subjects include the study of the English language, creative writing, and novels and provide knowledge about popular movements like Realism, Post-Colonialism, and Existentialism. Listed below are a few core & elective subjects under the BA English Literature syllabus:
BA English Literature Core Subjects
Listed below are the core subjects in BA English Literature along with the topics covered in each subject:
| BA English Literature Core Subject | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| British and American Prose | Historical Evolution of Prose, Prose Styles, Literary Analysis, Social Context in Prose, Influence on Culture, Non-fiction Prose, Development of Prose Fiction, Notable Essays, etc. |
| Foundation of English | Evolution of the Novel, Early Novelists, Novel Genres, Novelistic Techniques, Social and Cultural Impact, Experimental Fiction, Narrative Structures, etc. |
| Environmental Studies | Nature Writing, Eco-Criticism, Conservation Literature, Sustainability Themes, Literary Responses to Climate Change, Environmental Ethics, Nature as Symbolism, etc. |
| Shakespeare Drama | Shakespearean Tragedies, Histories, Dramatic Techniques, Character Analysis, Cultural and Historical Context, Influence on English Drama, Shakespearean Adaptations, etc. |
| Poetry | Poetic Forms and Structures, Major Poets (British and American), Romantic Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Contemporary Trends, Poetic Devices, Thematic Analysis, etc. |
| Literary Form | Exploration of Literary Forms, Novel, Short Stories, Poetry, Essay, Hybrid Forms, Evolution of Forms, Literary Experimentation, etc. |
| Social History of England | Key Historical Periods, Social Changes, Cultural Shifts, Impact on Literature, Wars and Literature, Class Structure in Literature, Representation of Social Classes, etc. |
| Grammar Usage | English Grammar Rules, Syntax, Punctuation, Grammar in Creative Writing, Common Errors, Language Variation, Style Guides, etc. |
| Concept of Translation Theory and Practice | Translation Methods, Cultural Implications in Translation, Comparative Literature in Translation, Literary Translation, Practical Translation Techniques, Linguistic Aspects in Translation, etc. |
| Modern English Drama | Modernist and Postmodernist Drama, Major Playwrights, Themes in 20th-Century Drama, Theatrical Innovations, Impact of Social Changes, Absurd Drama, Contemporary Trends, Experimental Theatre, etc. |
| American Literature | Literary Movements (Transcendentalism, Harlem Renaissance, Beat Generation, etc.), American Literary Classics, Ethnic Literature, Regional Literature, Native American Literature, Contemporary Voices, Impact of Historical Events on Literature, etc. |
| Literary Theories | Postcolonial Criticism, Feminist Criticism, Psychoanalytic Approaches, Deconstruction, Cultural Studies, Marxist Literary Criticism, etc. |
| Women's Writing in English | Women Authors and their Contributions, Feminist Literary Theory, Feminist Themes in Literature, Women's Voices in Non-fiction, Feminist Literary Criticism, etc. |
| 20th-Century English Literature | Modernist and Postmodernist Literature, Cultural Changes in the 20th Century, Literary Responses to Technology, Existential Literature, Postcolonial Literature, Contemporary Trends, Major Authors and Works, etc. |
| Understanding Indian Writing | Indian Literary Traditions, Postcolonial Indian Literature, Regional Literature, Dalit Literature, Indian Diaspora Writing, Literary Responses to Social Issues, Multilingual Literature, etc |
| Journalism and Mass Communication | Basics of Journalism, Media Studies, Role of Language in Mass Communication, Reporting and Editing, Ethics in Journalism, Media Influence on Literature, New Media Trends, etc. |
| English Language Teaching | Language Teaching Methodologies, Classroom Practices, Technology in Language Teaching, Assessment in Language Teaching, English as a Second Language (ESL) Strategies, English Language Curriculum Design, etc. |
| New Literature in English | Contemporary Voices, Postcolonial and Global Literature, Diverse Cultural Perspectives, Experimental Literature, Literature in the Age of Technology, Cross-Cultural Literary Dialogues, etc. |
BA English Literature Elective Subjects
Listed below are the optional subjects in BA English Literature along with the topics covered in each subject:
| BA English Literature Subjects (Elective) | Topics Covered |
| English Literature History | English Renaissance, Romantic Period, Modernist Movement, Postcolonial Literature, Contemporary English Literature, Literary Movements and Periods, |
| Literary Criticism | Literary Criticism Overview, Critical Approaches to Literature, Formalism, Structuralism, Reader-Response Theory, etc. |
| Comparative Literature Fundamentals | Definition and Scope of Comparative Literature, Theoretical Foundations, Literary Translation, Comparative Studies in Genres, Globalization and Literature, Postcolonial Comparative Literature, Comparative Stylistics, etc. |
| Linguistic Introduction | Phonetics and Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Sociolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, Historical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, etc. |
| Indian Theatre Study | Sanskrit Drama, Medieval Theatre Forms, Colonial Influence on Theatre, Modern Indian Theatre, Post-Independence Theatre, Regional Theatre Traditions, Theatre and Social Change, etc. |
| World Mythology and Literature | Mythological Themes, Mythological Characters, Archetypal Patterns, Mythology in Literature, Mythology in Popular Culture, Mythology and Psychology, etc. |
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College-Wise BA English Literature Syllabus
B.A English Literature syllabus differs as per the respective university/college curriculum in terms of elective subjects, skill enhancement course, projects, etc. Students can download BA English Literature syllabus PDF from college's website to have an in-depth understanding of the course. Below listed is the BA in English Literature syllabus for top colleges:
Madurai Kamraj University BA English Literature Syllabus
MKU BA English Literature subjects cover topics like the literary and historical context of literature, narrative techniques, cultural identity exploration, understanding different poetic styles, etc. Below listed is the semester wise BA English Literature syllabus at MKU:
|
Semester Ⅰ |
Semester Ⅱ |
| Language-I | Language-II |
| English-I | English-II |
| Short Stories | Understanding Poetry-I |
| Prose | Fiction |
| Literary Forms Concept | Understanding the Social History of England |
| Functional English-I (NME) | Functional English-II (NME) |
|
Semester Ⅲ |
Semester Ⅳ |
| Language-III | Language-IV |
| English-III | English-IV |
| Understanding Poetry-II | 20th Century Literature |
| Grammar Usage | Understanding Indian Writing |
| English Literature History-I (Elective) | Spoken English and Phonetics |
| Word Power and Creative Writing (Skill Based Paper) | English Literature History-II (Elective) |
| - | Presentation and Job Seeking Skill (Skill Based Paper) |
|
Semester V |
Semester VI |
| American Literature | Literary Theories |
| Women's Writing in English | Concept of Translation Theory and Practice |
| Drama | English Language Teaching Concept |
| Mass Communication and Journalism Concept | Shakespeare Literature Concepts |
| English (New Literature) | English Concepts for Employment |
| Understanding Literary Criticism -I (Elective) | Understanding Literary Criticism -II (Elective) |
| - | Value Education (Skill Based Paper) |
Bharathiar University BA English Literature Syllabus
Bharathiar University's BA in English Literature syllabus focuses on developing public speaking skills, writing skills, translation skills, etc., along with understanding comparative literature and various theories associated. Below listed is the B.A. English Literature syllabus at Bharathiar University:
|
Semester Ⅰ |
Semester Ⅱ |
| Tamil Language-I | Tamil Language-II |
| English-I | English-II |
| Fiction-I | Language Proficiency Development for Employment |
| Prose-I | Poetry-I |
| Environmental Studies | Drama-I |
| - | English Literature History |
| - | Human Rights and Value Education |
|
Semester Ⅲ |
Semester Ⅳ |
| Tamil Language-III | Tamil Language-IV |
| English-III | English-IV |
| Fiction-II | Drama-II |
| Prose-II | Poetry-II |
| Understanding Literary Forms | Understanding Literary Criticism |
| Language Skill Development-I (Skill Based Paper) | Digital Skill Development for Employment (Skill Based Course) |
| Major Elective-I ( Women's Rights/Yoga for Excellence or Advanced Tamil-I) | Major Elective-II (General Awareness or Advanced Tamil-I) |
|
Semester V |
Semester VI |
| American Literature Concepts | Gender Studies Concept |
| English Language Teaching | English Translation in Indian Literature |
| Indian English Writing | Shakespear Concepts |
| Understanding Common Wealth Literature | Elective-II |
| Elective-I | Elective-III |
| English Phonetics-I (Skill Based Paper) | English Phonetics-I (Skill Based Paper) |
| - | Employment Readiness Course |
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature Course Structure
BA in English Literature course structure is designed to include both core and elective subjects. BA English Literature syllabus includes the Study of Poetry, Essay Writing, Drama, Novels, Non-Fiction, Prose, History, and Plays. The BA English Literature course structure is given below:
- VI Semesters
- Core Subjects
- Elective Subjects
- Projects
- Dissertation
- Seminar
BA in English Literature Teaching Methodology and Techniques
The BA English Literature curriculum takes into account different teaching methods. Along with lectures and practical training, the learners are trained in elective subjects with specializations. Listed below are some methods of teaching:
- Lecture Method
- Discussion Method
- Inquiry Method
- Discovery Method
- Problem-Solving Method
- Project Method of Teaching
- Workshop
Popular State-Wise BA English Literature Colleges in India
BA English Literature Projects
BA in English Literature project topics are given to students for interdisciplinary learning. Projects are to be completed by the end of six semesters where the students have to submit a 20,000-word project. Some popular BA English Literature project topics are listed below:
- Translation and the Canon of Indian Literature: The Case of Satires in Hindi
- Dissent in Victorian and Edwardian Fantasies by Women
- Understanding Nation through Globalization: The Case of Post-Liberalization Indian Novel in English
- Understanding Nation-Building and Local/Global: in the Context Writing and Visual Art
Note: For the detailed list of projects, BA English Literature project PDFs are also available online.
BA English Literature Books
BA English Literature books are meant for a better understanding of concepts. The BA 1st-year English literature books PDF are available online and are also available offline. Some reference books to guide and understand the concepts of research areas are listed below :
|
Name of the Books |
Topics Covered |
Authors |
| Indian Literary Criticism: Theory and Interpretation | Literary theories, Indian literary traditions, Cultural perspectives, Postcolonial criticism, etc. | G. N. Devy |
| Indian English Literature 1980-2000: A Critical Survey | Indian English literature overview, Postcolonial literature, Social issues, Cultural reflections, etc. | M. K. Naik |
| Language Testing and Evaluation: An Introductory Course | Language testing fundamentals, Evaluation methods, Assessment techniques, Reliability and validity, etc. | Desmond Allison |
| Second Language Learning and Language Teaching | Second language acquisition, Bilingualism, Language skills development, Teaching strategies, etc. | Vivian Coo |
Also Read: Best English Grammar Books
Top BA English Literature Colleges
Top Arts Entrance Exams
BA English Literature Fee Structure
FAQs
What are the subjects of BA English Literature?
Some key subjects covered in the BA English Literature syllabus are the Study of the English Language, Grammar and Usage, Literary Forms, Twentieth Century Literature, Indian Writing, Poetry, Fiction, etc.
What do you study in BA English literature?
The Bachelor of Arts in English Literature is a thorough and intensive course that covers various literary genres. This three-year degree offers the opportunity to study Poetry, Drama, Novels, Prose, and History.
Which is better BA English or BA English Literature?
BA English focuses on grammar and the use of different parts of speech whereas BA English Literature is a course that explains the origin of the language, epics, plays, etc.
What are the various BA English Literature projects?
Students of BA English can opt for various projects on English literature that includes topics such as Translation and the Canon of Indian Literature, Dissent in Victorian and Edwardian Fantasies, Understanding Nation through Globalization, etc.
Is BA English Literature a tough subject?
No, the BA English Literature is not difficult at all, considering students have an interest in the English Literature.